BP to meet with towns of Cape Vincent & Lyme about wind power project

Strict new regulations for commercial wind turbines aim to send a clear message to BP.

Martin AbegglenFlickr

With a wind project proposed by BP, the town of Cape Vincent recently passed strict new regulations for commercial wind turbines. Then BP began seeking state review under the Article X law. That process could bypass local laws, if they're deemed “unreasonable.” Now the company has called a meeting with town officials, scheduled for Tuesday night.

Town officials say they don't know exactly what to expect from the meeting. BP has had no contact with Cape Vincent officials for months.

"They haven't shared anything with us ahead of time, but the town is considering this a very, very, very significant meeting," said Bob Brown, who co-chairs the town planning board.

Cape Vincent town officials will be joined by the Lyme Town Council, since transmission lines for the proposed project would run through that town.

Article X requires BP to have a public involvement plan. But the state said the company didn't involve the public enough its first time around. Brown thinks the meeting tonight is part of the company's efforts to revise that plan.

But Brown says town officials intend to use the meeting to send a clear message to BP.

"Cape Vincent is not an appropriate place to have a large, industrial wind farm," he said.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 23 at the town's Recreation Hall on James Street. Officials predict a huge turnout.